Ceramic Braces – Your Clear Choice for Orthodontic Treatment

Posted on May 17, 2012

Generally when people picture braces, they picture the traditional metal braces and wires that can lead to embarrassment or self-consciousness.

If you have been avoiding orthodontic treatment for aesthetic and style reasons, HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam has good news for you!

Clear ceramic braces are practically invisible and offer you the same treatment efficacy as traditional metal braces but use less force and friction – which translates into less discomfort and a happier orthodontic treatment for you. Clear ceramic braces – the brackets, to be specific – are generally smaller and smoother than metal brackets.

Straight teeth are easier to clean, reducing your chances of tooth decay, cavities and tooth loss. Show your commitment to straight teeth and great oral health care and keep smiling, during your treatment and after, with clear ceramic braces.

Contact HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam for more information about clear ceramic braces or to book an appointment.

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Is Invisalign For You? Check Out Our Infograph!

Posted on May 10, 2012

Enjoy the Invisalign Infograph below (click to enlarge!) provided by HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam and see why Invisalign Invisible Aligners could be the clear choice for your Orthodontic treatment.

Contact us if you have any questions about Invisalign Invisible Aligners or if you would like to book your Invisalign Appointment at HGS Orthodontics today! 

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Find Your Perfect Smile With Invisalign

Posted on May 3, 2012

If you want a straight smile but don’t want the hassle of metal braces, Invisalign Invisible aligners may be the clear solution for you.

Invisalign is an orthodontic innovation that uses clear plastic aligners instead of metal braces to straighten your teeth. At HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam, our dedicated team of Invisalign providers would love to give you the perfect smile you deserve!

Practically invisible, Invisalign aligners will give you the freedom to smile with confidence and enjoy life to the fullest. Cleaning your teeth is also incredibly easy with Invisalign – Invisalign invisible aligners are completely removable, which also means that you can enjoy all your favourite foods without any worries.

The Invisalign technology comes with yet another bonus – very little pain or discomfort is associated with the Invisalign aligners so if you’ve put off straightening your smile for fear of the pain associated with traditional metal braces, there’s good news for you. Invisalign aligners are virtually pain-free.

Patients are advised to follow directions carefully, and to make regular appointments at HGS Orthodontics. We’ll make sure your Invisalign aligners are working properly to give you a fantastic smile and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have about Invisalign or the progress of your treatment.

Contact us at HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam today to find out if Invisalign is right for you or to book your Invisalign invisible aligners appointment.

Orthodontics 101: Open Bite Information

Posted on Apr 26, 2012

What is an open bite?
Open bites describe a misalignment of the tooth and jaw wherein the upper and lower front teeth are forced outwards. In consequence, most teeth don’t touch each other at all, not even when the mouth is closed.

What causes an open bite?
In most cases it’s the patients themselves who are (inadvertently) responsible. Thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting (pushing the tongue against the teeth when swallowing), chewing on objects (usually pencils), excessive/incorrect use of pacifiers and feeding bottles, and untreated TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) can all cause an open bite.

What are the consequences of an open bite? 
An open bite isn’t aesthetically pleasing and may cause low self-esteem in a patient. Lisping and TMD could develop or become aggravated, so it’s important to visit your orthodontic specialist to correct an open bite.

Treatment 
Generally braces are sufficient to correct an open bite, but in severe cases jaw surgery may be required. Your orthodontic expert will be able to determine which course of action is appropriate for your open bite.

The best treatment for an open bite is prevention, beginning as early as possible by discouraging thumb-sucking, reducing pacifier use and booking an appointment at HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam.

For more information on open bites, or to book a consultation, please contact us today.

How to Treat and Prevent Underbites

Posted on Apr 19, 2012

Your orthodontic experts at HGS Ortho aim to educate you on issues that may arise with your child’s teeth. Here’s a quick Q&A about one of the most common jaw/tooth alignment problems: underbite.

What does an underbite look like? 

The lower jaw protrudes more than the upper jaw.

How does an underbite happen? 

Poor chewing habits can cause an underbite but mostly it comes from poor jaw and tooth alignment.

Why should I be concerned about an underbite? 

Aside from aesthetic issues, an underbite places a lot of stress on the jaw, which can cause TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) and headaches, jaw pain, jaw clicking, limited jaw movements and problems with chewing.

What can I do about an underbite?

If the underbite is skeletal, surgery may be necessary. If it’s just limited to the teeth, braces could potentially correct the issue. However, prevention is the best way to treat an underbite.

Can you describe the process of fixing an underbite in detail?

If it’s too late to prevent the underbite, the patient will wear braces for a few months before and after surgery. During surgery, the lower jaw may be pulled back and the upper jaw forward if necessary, though it may be possible that only one jaw will require work. Your orthodontic expert at HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam will be able to determine the best course of action for your underbite.

If the underbite has just begun, children (as young as five) can have their upper jaw widened with a jaw expander. The process will typically take several months and the patient will wear a reverse-pull face mask (to encourage the upper jaw to grow properly) and perhaps a chin cap (to discourage the lower jaw from growing) for about a year. Treatments vary, so be sure to see an orthodontic specialist.

What is the success rate of the treatment? 

The success rate is very high for both surgical and non-surgical treatment. Contact HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam to book an appointment.

Orthodontics 101: Treating Adults With Braces

Posted on Apr 12, 2012

A recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Orthodontics (AAO) found that five million people in the U.S. and Canada are currently receiving orthodontic treatment, and that one fifth of those five million orthodontic patients were adults (over 18).

At HGS Ortho, we have a team of orthodontic specialists that are all highly experienced in providing orthodontic care to our Port Coquitlam and Richmond patients.

If you’re an adult seeking orthodontic care, you have a number of treatment options for straightening your smile:

• Invisalign Invisible aligners are perfect if you want to avoid the stigma and discomfort associated with metal braces. Invisalign aligners are completely removable and practically invisible.
• Traditional metal braces are far less painful now, with new and improved technology that allows you to straighten your smile and correct your bite so that you can smile with confidence.

Whatever orthodontic treatment you choose, we at HGS Ortho in Port Coquitlam and Richmond would love to give you the perfect smile you deserve. Correctly aligned teeth can improve your oral health and prevent any long-term dental complications, so contact HGS Ortho today for your orthodontic treatment.

Easter Ideas: How To Keep Kids With Braces Happy

Posted on Apr 5, 2012

If you’re worried that braces will prevent your child from enjoying Easter candy, the dental health team at HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam have great news for you! While we don’t recommend any sticky, sugary Easter candy for anyone with braces, here’s a wonderful list of Easter candy that’s safe to enjoy if you have braces:

Chocolate – Chocolate is a great Easter candy for the Easter Bunny to hand out. However, chocolate filled with anything like toffee or caramel should be avoided. Think hollow bunnies and M&Ms.

Baked Goods – Decorated cupcakes and brownies are a great choice if they are nut-free. Baked goods gives you the freedom to experiment with ingredients, so try recipes with reduced-sugar or use honey instead.

Non-Edible Treats – Easter doesn’t have to be just about Easter candy.  Presents make for a great Easter candy replacement and the best part is they’re cavity-free!

We at HGS Ortho in Richmond and Port Coquitlam wish you a happy Easter!